This got me thinking, "what is the best way to solve Metro Manila's traffic problem?" It's easy to make suggestions, what's hard is the implementation and the cost of implementation. So what is the the best way to solve Metro Manila's traffic problem and the most cost effective solution?

Punitive Fines
First of all, any implementation will definitely cost money, a lot of money. The cause of the traffic mess is the people themselves so it's only right that those causing the traffic problem should be fined and the fine should hurt. That way, the fines will pay for the cost of enforcing the law.
The fines should start at P500 and goes up every week if you don't pay it within 15 days. To enforce this and prevent people from ignoring the fine. It will be tied to their driver's license or car registration. They cannot renew their d…

My previous post was about healthy oils but the content was about fats. So how is this related to the title?

Well, in my research, I wanted to see how the fats in the oil helps in maintaining good health. So what is the judgement?

Olive oil - good for salads, pan fry or light cooking with medium to low heat. Low poly-unsaturated fat content. High mono-unsaturated fat. So low to medium heat will not change the fat into trans fat. But high heat will.

Fats are generally good if they come from whole, natural and unprocessed foods. Fats become bad if they become damaged. Fats are damaged by heat, light and oxygen.

High heat and chemicals used by manufacturers to process oils damages fats. The most damaging process is partial hydrogenation (adding hydrogen). Hydrogenation is used to convert liquid vegetable oils to solid or semi-solid fats such as those present in margarine. This makes the oil last longer and is usually preferred for baking or deep frying as it acts as a preservative to foo…

Part of my research for healthy living is looking for the right kinds of oil to cook and eat with.

Of course, the easiest one to change to is olive oil. But Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is not a good oil to cook with especially for deep frying. So I had to do some research. I've learned about the benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) before but there's a lot of information out there against it. So I dug deeper.

Fortunately, new research on VCO has shed some light into it. The main proponent against coconut oil is from misinformation my the US vegetable oil producers to label "Tropical oils" meaning coconut oil or palm oil as bad because it was full of saturated fats.

They labeled soy, sunflower and safflower oil as better because it is low in saturated fat, high in unsaturated fat. What they didn't say that it was not as simple as that.

As in any type of fats, there is a difference between saturated fat and unsaturated fat.

Ever since I was tested for high cholesterol 2 years ago. I've been doing a lot of research on diet, nutrition and exercise.

2 years ago, I was 120 lbs, I was a size 30 and my LDL was over the limit as well as my total cholesterol. While it may not be considered bad (yet), as the doctor said that I could control it with diet and exercise. By the way, I'm 5'2" so that puts into perspective my weight and the size of my waist.

I chose to do something significant and change my lifestyle.

Here's what I did.

In 2006, before I started exercising, I changed what I ate. I reduced my serving of rice from 2 to 1. I ate more "ulam" or what you serve with rice such as the meat, fish and veggies. I am mainly a meat person so this was a bit difficult in the beginning.

I usually didn't feel full after eating this way so added fruits afterwards to get my fill. Doing this for a couple of months helped lower my cholesterol in about 3 months to normal levels. But after I was…

16. Put up a study to see how best to discourage use of large vehicles when less than 4 people are using it as the country's street are not built for large vehicles. It is more similar to the streets of Italy so smaller vehicles would make more sense.

17. Encourage the use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution. Fuel efficient vehicles like newer diesel engines, ethanol or other alternative fuels will get a tax break either through no tax on the purchase of these fuels or lower tax on the vehicles.

18. Encourage the use of newer cars by giving tax break or a rebate on people who will turn in their old cars to buy a new car.

19. Put up pollution testing centers to test vehicles older than 10 years. Every vehicle older than 10 years will have to pass an emissions test. Those that do not pass, will not get a registration. PUVs will have to go through an annual inspection as they are more susceptible to polluting because of heavy use.

6. I will set up a more professional police force. Put all patrolmen in shorts and set up bicycle and motorbike police force to do the rounds. They will of course be properly trained in traffic safety as well as setting an example to every motorist from pedicab drivers to PUV drivers.

Instead of putting patrol cars, bicycles will be a more healthier and eco-friendly option. Not to mention the savings we'll get from not buying gas. Patrol cars are only for detectives and a small percentage of the patrols. Bicycles and motorcycles are easier to get through to traffic.

7. Complete revamp of LTO with regards to driver licensing. Everybody applying for a license must take a proper exam, computerized of course so no cheating. Everyone must also pass a road test and not just bribe the examiner to get a pass. PUV drivers must take a more extensive exam as well as a more extensive road test. This goes for jeepney drivers and bus drivers where they will have to go through a one week live driv…